They aren't using the boxes! golf balls don't work!

Jdc361 said:

so I did the golf ball trick and it worked for the first 2 eggs. Then I got two soft shells that were on the ground splattered. So I started getting some in the box and some outside of the box but still in the coop. Lately I've been only getting one egg a day(I have 5 red sex links). So I figured oh it's fine they are just being lazy. Then yesterday I was cleaning out the coop and I found a nest with 6 eggs!! It was in the corner and was a perfect little nest! Then this morning I went out there and the nesting boxes, like usual, were empty and the golf balls and bedding were all scratched out to the bottom. So I took out the nesting boxes( they're homemade and removable) and in that same corner there was a nest with 2 eggs! How do I get them to use the boxes?!! Help please!

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nchls school said:

How about putting a nest box in the corner where they are laying. You can either leave it there and let the chickens have their way or slowly, day by day, move the nest box to where you want them to lay.

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aart said:

Put the nests where you want them.
Put higher fronts on them so the bedding and fake eggs can't be scratched out.
Make sure they are easy to access, both up and down, with a perch 6-8" in front of the nests opening if they are off the ground.
Look every day for another nest on the floor, remove the eggs and put a bucket or something there so they can't use that spot again.
Put fake eggs in all but one of the nests(one of my pullets didn't like the fake eggs at first).

How long have your birds been laying?
It can take up to month or so for things to smooth out.
It takes some management at first but it's worth the time spent to 'train' them to habituate to laying where you want them to.

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